Vote set on Ga. solar power expansion

ATLANTA (AP) - Utility regulators will vote on whether to force Georgia Power to add more solar energy to its system.

The elected members of the Public Service Commission are scheduled to vote Thursday on a proposal that would require Southern Co. subsidiary Georgia Power to add 525 megawatts of solar energy to its network.

The utility did not propose adding any additional solar energy when it put forward its plan for meeting the state's energy needs for the next 20 years.

Commissioner Lauren "Bubba" McDonald made the proposal to require more solar energy use. He said solar energy costs have come down, making the technology more competitive.

His critics say adding more solar energy will raise costs in the long run.

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